CREW-SERVED MACHINE GUNS, 5.56-mm AND 7.62-mm

[Pages:329]HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

FM 3-22.68

CREW-SERVED MACHINE GUNS, 5.56-mm AND 7.62-mm

M249, 5.56-MM MACHINE GUN M60, 7.62-MM MACHINE GUN M240B, 7.62-MM MACHINE GUN

JANUARY 2003

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

*FM 3-22.68

FIELD MANUAL No. 3-22.68

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Washington, DC, 31 January 2003

CREW-SERVED MACHINE GUNS, 5.56-mm AND 7.62-mm

CONTENTS

Page

PREFACE......................................................................................................................... vi

CHAPTER 1. M249 MACHINE GUN Section I. Description and Components................................................................ 1-1

1-1. Description................................................................................ 1-1 1-2. Components .............................................................................. 1-3 1-3. Ammunition.............................................................................. 1-5 1-4. Blank Firing Attachment .......................................................... 1-8 Section II. Maintenance.......................................................................................... 1-9 1-5. Clearing Procedures.................................................................. 1-9 1-6. General Disassembly .............................................................. 1-11 1-7. Inspection................................................................................ 1-16 1-8. Cleaning, Lubrication, and Preventive Maintenance.............. 1-18 1-9. General Assembly................................................................... 1-21 1-10. Function Check....................................................................... 1-24 1-11. Maintenance Procedures......................................................... 1-25 1-12. Maintenance During Nuclear, Biological, Chemical

Conditions............................................................................... 1-25 Section III. Operation and Function ...................................................................... 1-25

1-13. Operation ................................................................................ 1-25 1-14. Loading................................................................................... 1-26 1-15. Unloading ............................................................................... 1-27 1-16. Cycle of Functioning .............................................................. 1-27 1-17. Sights ...................................................................................... 1-29 1-18. M122 Tripod........................................................................... 1-31 1-19. Dismounting from the M122 Tripod ...................................... 1-33 1-20. Bipod Operations.................................................................... 1-33 1-21. Vehicular Mount..................................................................... 1-34 1-22. Tripod Positioning .................................................................. 1-34

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

*This publication supersedes FM 23-67, 29 February 1984 and FM 23-14, 26 January 1994.

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FM 3-22.68

Section

Page

IV. Performance Problems and Destruction ............................................. 1-34 1-23. Malfunctions........................................................................... 1-34 1-24. Stoppages................................................................................ 1-35 1-25. Immediate Action ................................................................... 1-37 1-26. Remedial Action ..................................................................... 1-38 1-27. Destruction Procedures........................................................... 1-38

CHAPTER 2. M60 MACHINE GUN Section I. Description and Components................................................................ 2-1

2-1. Description................................................................................ 2-1 2-2. Components .............................................................................. 2-3 2-3. Ammunition.............................................................................. 2-6 2-4. Blank Firing Attachments, M13 and M13A............................. 2-7 Section II. Maintenance.......................................................................................... 2-9 2-5. Clearing Procedures.................................................................. 2-9 2-6. General Disassembly .............................................................. 2-10 2-7. Inspection................................................................................ 2-16 2-8. Cleaning, Lubrication, and Preventive Maintenance.............. 2-17 2-9. General Assembly................................................................... 2-19 2-10. Function Check....................................................................... 2-21 2-11. Maintenance Procedures......................................................... 2-22 2-12. Maintenance During Nuclear, Biological, Chemical

Conditions............................................................................... 2-22 Section III. Operation and Function .......................................................... 2-22

2-13. Operation ................................................................................ 2-22 2-14. Loading................................................................................... 2-22 2-15. Unloading.... .......................................................................... 2-23 2-16. Cycle of Functioning .............................................................. 2-23 2-17. Sights ...................................................................................... 2-25 2-18. M122 Tripod........................................................................... 2-26 2-19. Bipod Operations.................................................................... 2-28 2-20. Vehicular Mount..................................................................... 2-29 2-21. Tripod Position ....................................................................... 2-30 Section IV. Performance Problems and Destruction ............................................. 2-30 2-22. Malfunctions........................................................................... 2-30 2-23. Stoppages................................................................................ 2-31 2-24. Immediate Action ................................................................... 2-32 2-25. Remedial Action ..................................................................... 2-33 2-26. Destruction Procedures........................................................... 2-34

CHAPTER 3. M240B MACHINE GUN Section I. Description and Components................................................................ 3-1

3-1. Description................................................................................ 3-1 3-2. Components .............................................................................. 3-3 3-3. Ammunition.............................................................................. 3-5 3-4. Ammunition Adapter................................................................ 3-6

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Section Section Section

FM 3-22.68

Page

3-5. Blank Firing Attachment .......................................................... 3-7 II. Maintenance.......................................................................................... 3-9

3-6. Clearing Procedures.................................................................. 3-9 3-7. General Disassembly .............................................................. 3-11 3-8. Inspection................................................................................ 3-18 3-9. Cleaning, Lubrication, and Preventive Maintenance.............. 3-20 3-10. General Assembly................................................................... 3-24 3-11. Function Check....................................................................... 3-27 3-12. Maintenance Procedures......................................................... 3-27 3-13. Maintenance During Nuclear, Biological, Chemical

Conditions............................................................................... 3-27 III. Operation and Function ...................................................................... 3-27

3-14. Operation ................................................................................ 3-28 3-15. Loading................................................................................... 3-28 3-16. Unloading ............................................................................... 3-28 3-17. Cycle of Functioning ............................................................. 3-29 3-18. Sights ...................................................................................... 3-30 3-19. M122A1 Tripod...................................................................... 3-33 3-20. Bipod Operations.................................................................... 3-35 3-21. Tripod Operations................................................................... 3-36 IV. Performance Problems and Destruction ............................................. 3-36 3-22. Malfunctions........................................................................... 3-36 3-23. Stoppages................................................................................ 3-37 3-24. Immediate Action ................................................................... 3-40 3-25. Remedial Action ..................................................................... 3-40 3-26. Stuck Barrel ............................................................................ 3-41 3-27. Destruction Procedures........................................................... 3-41

CHAPTER 4. MACHINE GUN MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING Section I. Introduction........................................................................................... 4-1

4-1. Objectives ................................................................................. 4-1 4-2. Training Phases......................................................................... 4-1 4-3. Training Strategy ...................................................................... 4-2 4-4. Training for Combat Conditions .............................................. 4-4 Section II. Preliminary Gunnery............................................................................. 4-4 4-5. Marksmanship Fundamentals ................................................... 4-4 4-6. Firing Positions......................................................................... 4-5 4-7. Night Fire.................................................................................. 4-9 4-8. Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Fire ........................................ 4-10 4-9. Engagement of Moving Targets ............................................. 4-11 4-10. Traverse and Search................................................................ 4-13 4-11. Direct Lay............................................................................... 4-14 4-12. Application of Fire.................................................................. 4-14 4-13. Fire Adjustment ...................................................................... 4-14 4-14. Effects of Wind....................................................................... 4-15 4-15. Fire Commands....................................................................... 4-17

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FM 3-22.68

Section Section

Page

4-16. Dry-Fire Exercise ................................................................... 4-17 4-17. Multipurpose Machine Gun Range Layout ............................ 4-20 4-18. Basic Machine Gun Target ..................................................... 4-21 4-19. Target Analysis....................................................................... 4-24 III. Crew Drill ........................................................................................... 4-24 4-20. Preparation.............................................................................. 4-24 4-21. Crew Equipment ..................................................................... 4-25 4-22. Formation (Bipod or Tripod Mounted) .................................. 4-25 4-23. Cross-Training Procedures ..................................................... 4-26 4-24. Inspection for Bipod Fire........................................................ 4-26 4-25. Placement into Action (Bipod) ............................................... 4-28 4-26 Procedures for Changing the Barrel (Bipod).......................... 4-29 4-27. Removal from Action (Bipod)................................................ 4-30 4-28. Inspection for Tripod Fire....................................................... 4-30 4-29. Placement into Action (Tripod).............................................. 4-30 4-30. Procedures for Changing the Barrel (Tripod)......................... 4-32 4-31. Removal from Action (Tripod)............................................... 4-32 4-32. Prone Position......................................................................... 4-33 IV. Basic Gunnery for the M249, M60, and M240B Machine Guns ....... 4-34 4-33. Zero......................................................................................... 4-34 4-34. Field Zero ............................................................................... 4-35 4-35. 10-Meter Firing....................................................................... 4-35 4-36. 10-Meter Conduct of Fire ....................................................... 4-36 4-37. 10-Meter Firing, Qualification ............................................... 4-44 4-38. Transition Fire ........................................................................ 4-44 4-39. Transition Conduct of Fire, Bipod.......................................... 4-45 4-40. Transition Fire, Limited Visibility.......................................... 4-49 4-41. AN/PVS-4 Zero ...................................................................... 4-50 4-42. Qualification Standards .......................................................... 4-51

CHAPTER 5. COMBAT TECHNIQUES OF FIRE Section I. Characteristics of Fire........................................................................... 5-1

5-1. Trajectory.................................................................................. 5-1 5-2. Maximum Ordinate .................................................................. 5-1 5-3. Cone of Fire .............................................................................. 5-1 5-4. Beaten Zone.............................................................................. 5-2 5-5. Danger Space............................................................................ 5-2 Section II. Classes of Fire....................................................................................... 5-2 5-6. Respect to the Ground .............................................................. 5-2 5-7. Respect to the Target ................................................................ 5-3 5-8. Respect to the Machine Gun..................................................... 5-4 Section III. Application of Fire................................................................................ 5-5 5-9. Types of Targets ....................................................................... 5-5 5-10. Distribution, Concentration, and Rate of Fire .......................... 5-6 5-11. Target Engagement................................................................... 5-7 5-12. Target Engagement during Limited Visibility........................ 5-12

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FM 3-22.68

Section Section Section Section

Page

5-13. Overhead Fire ......................................................................... 5-12 5-14. Defilade Positions................................................................... 5-14 IV. Predetermined Fires ............................................................................ 5-16 5-15. Terminology ........................................................................... 5-16 5-16. Range Card ............................................................................. 5-17 V. Fire Control......................................................................................... 5-23 5-17. Methods of Fire Control ......................................................... 5-23 5-18. Fire Commands....................................................................... 5-24 VI. Range Determination .......................................................................... 5-30 5-19. Range Estimation.................................................................... 5-30 5-20. Lateral Distance Measurement ............................................... 5-33 VII. Advanced Gunnery ............................................................................. 5-34 5-21. Objectives ............................................................................... 5-34 5-22. Organization ........................................................................... 5-34 5-23. Ammunition............................................................................ 5-34 5-24. Firing Sequence ...................................................................... 5-34 5-25. Alternate Firing Positions....................................................... 5-35 5-26. Movement, Speed, and Alignment ......................................... 5-38 5-27. Reloading................................................................................ 5-38

CHAPTER 6. TRAIN-THE-TRAINER PROGRAM 6-1. Mission-Essential Task List...................................................... 6-1 6-2. Trainer Assessment................................................................... 6-1 6-3. Assistant Trainers and Cadre Coaches ..................................... 6-2 6-4. Program Phases......................................................................... 6-3 6-5. Training Tasks .......................................................................... 6-3 6-6. Trainer Certification Program ................................................ 6-11

APPENDIX A. UNIT TRAINING PROGRAM ......................................................... A-1 APPENDIX B. PROFICIENCY (PERFORMANCE) EXAMINATION....................B-1 APPENDIX C. AERIAL DEFENSE............................................................................C-1 APPENDIX D. RANGE SAFETY.............................................................................. D-1 APPENDIX E. EMPLOYMENT .................................................................................E-1 APPENDIX F. TRAINING AIDS AND DEVICES.................................................... F-1 APPENDIX G. ADVANCED OPTICS AND LASERS ............................................. G-1 APPENDIX H. 10-METER BORE LIGHT/25-METER TARGET OFFSETS.......... H-1 GLOSSARY........................................................................................................ Glossary-1 REFERENCES............................................................................................... References-1 INDEX...................................................................................................................... Index-1

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FM 3-22.68

PREFACE

This manual provides technical information, training techniques, and guidance on the crew-served machine guns, 5.56-mm and 7.62-mm (M249/M60/M240B). The purpose of this manual is, to provide a one-source document for all three weapons. This prohibits having several sources to rely on. Unit leaders, trainers, and the designated gunners will find this information invaluable in their efforts to successfully integrate these automatic weapons into their combat operations.

Trainers must ensure that safety procedures are observed at all times. Leaders, trainers, and soldiers must remember that safety is everyone's responsibility. All training should be conducted as though the weapon is fully loaded. At no time while using this manual does speed or accuracy override the safety procedures.

Unless this publication states otherwise, masculine nouns and pronouns do not refer exclusively to men.

The proponent of this publication is the United States Army Infantry School. Send comments and recommendations on DA Form 2028 directly to Commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School, ATTN: ATSH-IN-S3, Fort Benning, GA 31905-5596, or send email to doctrine@benning.army.mil.

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FM 3-22.68

CHAPTER 1

M249 MACHINE GUN

The 5.56-mm M249 machine gun supports the soldier in both the offense and defense. The M249 provides a medium volume of close and continuous fire the soldier needs to accomplish the mission. With it, units can engage the enemy along with the capability of individual weapons with controlled and accurate fire. The medium-range, close defensive, and final protective fires delivered by the M249 MG form an integral part of a unit's defensive fires. Although the M249 MG is described here as a machine gun, it also plays the role of the automatic rifleman. This FM or chapter supersedes FM 23-14, which describes the M249 MG in the automatic rifle role. This chapter also describes the weapon and the types of ammunition in detail and provides a table of general data.

Section I. DESCRIPTION AND COMPONENTS This section describes the M249 machine gun and its components and purposes. It also discusses the different types of ammunition that is fired from the M249 machine gun. This section describes how to install the blank firing adapter for the M249 machine gun and how to take care of the machine gun while using the blank firing adapter.

1-1. DESCRIPTION The M249 machine gun is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt or magazine-fed, automatic weapon that fires from the open-bolt position (Figure 1-1). It has a maximum rate of fire of 850 rounds per minute. Primarily, ammunition is fed into the weapon from a 200-round ammunition box containing a disintegrating metallic split-link belt. As an emergency means of feeding, the M249 machine gun can use a 20- or 30-round M16 rifle magazine but increases the chance of stoppages. This gun can be fired from the shoulder, hip, or underarm position; from the bipod-steadied position; or from the tripod-mounted position. See Table 1-1, on page 1-2, for general data.

Figure 1-1. M249 machine gun, bipod and tripod mounted.

1-1

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